Edward B. Jelks

Born on September 10, 1922, Edward Baker Jelks was an American archaeologist whose career bridged prehistoric and historical archaeology. Reliable sources describe him as a scholar, teacher, and field archaeologist who became especially influential in the growth of historical archaeology in the United States.

Jelks is remembered not only for his own excavations and publications, but also for his leadership in the profession. Accounts from the Society for Historical Archaeology note that he helped found major professional organizations and influenced generations of students and archaeologists through his research, teaching, and public service.

For readers encountering his books today, that background matters: his work comes from someone deeply involved in building the standards, methods, and institutions of modern American archaeology. He died on December 22, 2021.